Not Model A-----ratrods

Ross/Kzoo

Ross/Kzoo

Well-known member
I've noticed that recently around here the number of ratrods has diminished. I used to see them all over and now they are few and far between. Last week I noticed what was a ratrod is now being finished quite nice with a detailed engine bay, finished frame and grill shell and looks like he's driving it now and waiting until winter to finish the body and interior. Just my observation here and maybe not true elsewhere.
 
Just bought my 30 Model A pickup last weekend.
It was a barn find with plenty of rust and dents & dings. I have to make a big decision on restoring it to original or street rod or least of which a rat rod.
I suddnely remembered yesterday that there is a parts supplier close to me; "The Early Ford Store" located in San Dimas California. I stopped in to see which direction to go in this project. Speaking with the owner (Bill) he told me that more and more original restoration is giving way to street rod building and rat rod was not as busy as street rod building. Just my observation, but maybe I should build a street rod?
 
Ross/Kzoo said:
I've noticed that recently around here the number of ratrods has diminished. I used to see them all over and now they are few and far between. Last week I noticed what was a ratrod is now being finished quite nice with a detailed engine bay, finished frame and grill shell and looks like he's driving it now and waiting until winter to finish the body and interior. Just my observation here and maybe not true elsewhere.
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There is a saying that "The pendulum of the clock always swings to far in each direction." Fads come & go, ...generally as fast in the opposite direction too. At the Street Rod Nat's in Louisville last year, we noticed they had diminished greatly over previous years there too. Since many (most??) of those type cars that I have looked at have bordered heavily on dangerous/unsafe, I am of the opinion that it is probably good thing. I suppose, to each his own though. :rolleyes:

.
 
5_guy said:
Just bought my 30 Model A pickup last weekend.
It was a barn find with plenty of rust and dents & dings. I have to make a big decision on restoring it to original or street rod or least of which a rat rod.
I suddnely remembered yesterday that there is a parts supplier close to me; "The Early Ford Store" located in San Dimas California. I stopped in to see which direction to go in this project. Speaking with the owner (Bill) he told me that more and more original restoration is giving way to street rod building and rat rod was not as busy as street rod building. Just my observation, but maybe I should build a street rod?
Click to expand...

You left out a major category, "traditional hotrods". This is a huge and growing group. See the hotrod listing on this forum which links to the HAMB, which has more than 100,000 members.
If you take stock A and add a high compression head, you fit the description of a traditional hotrod.
 
5_guy said:
Just bought my 30 Model A pickup last weekend.
It was a barn find with plenty of rust and dents & dings. I have to make a big decision on restoring it to original or street rod or least of which a rat rod.
I suddnely remembered yesterday that there is a parts supplier close to me; "The Early Ford Store" located in San Dimas California. I stopped in to see which direction to go in this project. Speaking with the owner (Bill) he told me that more and more original restoration is giving way to street rod building and rat rod was not as busy as street rod building. Just my observation, but maybe I should build a street rod?
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5_Guy, since you are posting on a web forum that was designated to speak about 'Restoration' and not Rods, I suppose you are going to find the bias here to be towards restoration of your pick-up. With that said, I think it is your truck to responsibly do with as you see fit. I am of the opinion however that most Street Rod shops never built that many true "rat rods" simply because the foundation for those cars were to be a ratty car built with whatever discarded parts could be scrounged at the lowest possible costs. That typically does not favor a Street Rod shop's owner's financial benefit.

The one suggestion that I have for you is be honest in your abilities ....whether it be with your financial capabilities or your physical abilities. Generally speaking, to build a decent street rod will cost more to build than what it generally costs to restore. Naturally there are exceptions but I have found this to be the case as an owner of both a restoration and street rod shop. I always recommend that a car owner sit down and list all of the items he would need to purchase to restore vs. rod, and then list how much he can capably do himself vs outsourcing, and when both lists are completed, he needs to make sure he has the commitment both financially and physically to complete his desires. IMHO it does the entire world no good if a project runs out of steam because the owner was unrealistic with themselves during the goal planning process. Good luck with your decision no matter which way you choose to proceed.


bgarrett said:
You left out a major category, "traditional hotrods". This is a huge and growing group. See the hotrod listing on this forum which links to the HAMB, which has more than 100,000 members.
If you take stock A and add a high compression head, you fit the description of a traditional hotrod.
Click to expand...
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:rolleyes: Garrett, if that is true, I think you just described the majority of the Model A's that were at the MARC Meet in San Diego a month!! :eek:
 
"Last week I noticed what was a ratrod is now being finished quite nice with a detailed engine bay, finished frame and grill shell and looks like he's driving it now and waiting until winter to finish the body and interior."

evolution?

Ratrod - streetrod - tradition hotrod/restoration

Whatever happened to the resto-rod term?
 
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The "traditional hotrod" group doesn't really like the "Rat Rods."

Think of the "Traditional Hotrod" group as restorers of hotrods the way they were in the 1940s and 1950s. The true traditional hotrod guys are also just as meticulous as the restorer crowd on using period correct wiring, fasteners, materials, accessories, 6 Volt Generators, period speed parts, not reproduction. Those are the cool "Traditional Hotrods"

The "Rat Rod" group are the jokers who put mail boxes on their carbs for intakes, use tuna fish cans for their tail lights, have cheesy skulls made out of barbed wire for grills and rubber rats and mouse traps sitting around their car at car shows. These people are being made fun of by the car community. Restorers don't like them. Traditional guys don't like them. The cars are more like modern art displays, not a mix of design, engineering and skill.
 
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The rat rod fad/craze has died off down here a good deal and I'm glad to see it. I have nothing against a well built car be it a street rod or original, but rat rods look like *** and don't benefit the hobby IMO.

Not unlike these people who dress up like greasers and pinup girls- it's a fad that will soon go away.

I also believe in time, the "traditional hot rod" fad will die down as well. The hobby ebbs & flows on trends, which holds true for any segment of the old car hobby. For those of us who have been in the hobby for many years, I'm sure you'll remember how Chicle & Copra with straw wheels was THE color combo to use on a 30-31 A in the 70s & 80s, now it's not used as much in favor of other colors. Just an example!
 
LukeDahlinger said:
greasers and pinup girls- it's a fad that will soon go away. I also believe in time, the "traditional hot rod" fad will die down as well.
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I not so sure about that. I remember, in mpls in the 80's, people going to bryant lake bowling alley all "greased" up.

But that's my opinion.
 
Jason in TX said:
The "traditional hotrod" group doesn't really like the "Rat Rods."

Think of the "Traditional Hotrod" group as restorers of hotrods the way they were in the 1940s and 1950s. The true traditional hotrod guys are also just as meticulous as the restorer crowd on using period correct wiring, fasteners, materials, accessories, 6 Volt Generators, period speed parts, not reproduction. Those are the cool "Traditional Hotrods"

The "Rat Rod" group are the jokers who put mail boxes on their carbs for intakes, use tuna fish cans for their tail lights, have cheesy skulls made out of barbed wire for grills and rubber rats and mouse traps sitting around their car at car shows. These people are being made fun of by the car community. Restorers don't like them. Traditional guys don't like them. The cars are more like modern art displays, not a mix of design, engineering and skill.
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Excellent description of the different segments.
I am glad that the ratrods are going away. Most don't appear to be safe or withstand the test of time.
 
I live on both sides of the fence. I currentrly drive Lil' Red - a 34pu restored close to original yet would not pass muster at a meet because of hydraulic brakes.

I also built a 34pu Street Rod back in late 80's where I found a rusted out cab, bad frame and a couple of rough fenders. That's it nothing else! It would have cost me a fortune to buy all the parts to restore even close to original. I chose to go the street rod route as I had a sbc, trans and 8" rear. Still was not cheap but not near what it would have cost to restore.

By the way, the the second owner turned down $50k to buy it back. What restored 34pu would fetch anywhere close to that? And . . I put junk back on the road that otherwise would have met a junkyard end.

Both have their place but note, I would never - never take a complete car and turn it into a rod of any kind. Just my opinion.
 
Ross/Kzoo said:
I've noticed that recently around here the number of ratrods has diminished. I used to see them all over and now they are few and far between. Last week I noticed what was a ratrod is now being finished quite nice with a detailed engine bay, finished frame and grill shell and looks like he's driving it now and waiting until winter to finish the body and interior. Just my observation here and maybe not true elsewhere.
Click to expand...

AMERICANA..all the way! Junk to abstract art! Barnfinds of the future:D! Anybody (with deep loose pockets) can hire a professional parts replacer to 'restore' an auto. How many can take discarded JUNK and assemble it into something that can be licensed and go 100mph:eek:
Just at Bobs and saw the most creative/bizzare yet: giant six cyl REO engine sitting on two GOAL POSTS that doubled as frame and exhaust pipes. Glad I was 'admiring' his creativity....as he turned out to be a neighbor:)!
 
Traditional Hot Rod

Taking a nice hot rod from the past

Doane-spencer-32ford.jpg


And restoring it back to it's former glory.

CIMG1240.jpg


And a "Rat Rod" is just a piece of "Rat Turd"

attachment.php
 
Great photos Jason, I'm glad to see less Rat Rods,but it sure allowed the sale of a lot of worthless parts at a profit. That four door Rat would make the owner a bigger profit than the same car restored, but interest is fading so I'd sell it quickly.
 
heres a picture I took off my TV about a rat rodIt was just on for a few seconds
i love the driver
 
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